September 4, 2012

If you loved the songs "Leaving on a Jet Plane," "Puff, the Magic Dragon" and "Blowin' in the Wind," you have your chance to see music icon Peter Yarrow of the legendary group Peter, Paul, and Mary perform Monday, Sept. 10, in Cape Coral.

A member of the popular 1960s folk group, Yarrow will present a free concert that night at 7 p.m. at Ida Baker High School. Advance tickets are now available and suggested for the event.

Not only will Yarrow be singing, he will also be talking about and delivering important messages, said Cape Charter Schools Superintendent Dr. Lee Bush.

Article Photos

Photo ProvidedFolk music icon Peter Yarrow, formerly of the 1960s band Peter, Paul and Mary.

"Besides playing his unique songs, he will talk about respect and civility," said Bush. "He's a great guy."

The performance is part of Operation Respect.

"It's a non-profit organization that Peter founded in 1999," Bush said. "The mission is to assure each child and youth a respectful safe and compassionate climate of learning where their academic, social and emotional development can take place free of bullying, ridicule and violence."

Fact Box

If You Go

Who: Ida Baker High School

What: Peter Yarrow concert

When: Monday, Sept. 10, 7 p.m.

Where: Ida Baker High School, 3500 Agualinda Blvd.

Cost: Free; advanced tickets suggested

Operation Respect offers the music from Peter Yarrow's songbooks, "Favorite Folk Songs," "Sleepytime Songs," "Let's Sing Together," "Day is Done" and "Puff the Magic Dragon," free of charge to to all who will use it for educational purposes. That includes teachers, librarians, school counselors, therapists, child psychologists and law enforcement personal helping children get through difficult times.

"They have more than 20,000 curriculums they have donated across the U.S. and internationally," Bush said. "For more information, go to operationrespect.org."

It is a free event, but they are accepting donations at the concert.

"The city charter schools are sponsoring the concerts, and since we don't have an auditorium of our own yet, we generally use Ida Baker since they are very generous in letting us use their venue," said Bush.

He's a big personal fan of Yarrow's.

"He and Bob Dylan and Peter May were the reason I bought my first guitar in 1963, when I was a sophomore in high school. Peter Yarrow is to me as Taylor Swift is to a a 12-year a girl."

How did the concert come about?

"One of our governing board members has a friendship with Peter Yarrow and asked him to come to a concert for us," he said.

There is limited seating of approximately 800 at the Ida Baker auditorium, so advance tickets are suggested and available at the main office and these four local charter schools until Friday, Sept. 8, at 3 p.m.:

- City of Cape Coral's Charter Schools Main Office

3415 Oasis Blvd.

- Christa McAuliffe Elementary

2817 S.W. 3rd Lane

283-4511

- Oasis Elementary School

3415 Oasis Blvd.

542-1577

- Oasis Middle School

3506 Oasis Blvd.

945-1999

- Oasis High School

3519 Oasis Blvd.

541-1167

Some tickets will also be available at the door the night of the event. Ida Baker High School is located at 3500 Agualinda Blvd.